<p>I am ambitious, optimistic, and decently intelligent. I should have liked to attend Harvard via a Fulbright scholarship. However, my parents will not let me leave the country on account of my mental health. Has anyone experienced similar frustrations?</p>
<p>Well, I’m on the other end of things, because my 21-year-old son has a mental illness. He had to come home suddenly from his out-of-state university. The problem with mental illness is that you can be fine for a long time, then go downhill in a SNAP. My son had to literally get on a plane in a couple of hours to avoid having his doctor send him to the hospital. It was tough enough to do in the same country - I can’t imagine a child having a crisis abroad! Even if you are not that severely ill, I can certainly understand where your parents are coming from.</p>
<p>I should add that our 18-year-old son is also ill, but he demonstrated his stability long enough that we allowed him to go on a six-week gap year program over seas. So every case is different. I think all you can do is tell your parents how you feel, stay stable for a good length of time, and go with what they say. Good luck! I admire you for your determination!</p>
<p>If you know how to manage your illness you can live a completely normal life most of the times. This includes be able to go overseas and live on your own. You just need to know how to seek out help when you need it before things get out of hand.</p>
<p>But that’s the hard thing - a lot of times the ill person doesn’t recognize when things are starting to go badly.</p>
<p>I also agree that it would be unwise. Also, Fulbright scholarships are for graduate study.</p>
<p>Different Fulbright. OP, were you offered a Fulbright to Harvard? Any guidance on it? Because there is usually a tiered vetting process.</p>
<p>Your parents are wise. We have had a bad experience in our lives when less responsible parents allowed a mentally ill student away from home without being in full control of the illness (if there is such a thing). Stay close enough to your support system to make yourself successful and to keep others safe as well. Thank your parents for loving you enough to say no.</p>
<p>If you were accepted to Harvard, then that’s a great accomplishment.
If you are able to resolve those mental issues, then it would definitely be the path for you.</p>
<p>If you haven’t been accepted, but merely stand on grounds of speculating about applying there, then the odds aren’t so good.</p>
<p>BUT, regardless of whatever Harvard offers you or not, ALWAYS consider your mental health first. Do taking meds help? Perhaps speak with a psychiatrist? If all else fails, perhaps you can somehow have a family relative accompany you to the US?</p>